The world of Tzu Chi May 2020 (Vol.122)

TZU CHI 122 47 Thanaletchumi is unable to travel to the recycling centre due to the chronic pain in her leg, yet chooses to contribute by sorting recyclables at home with her son. current neglect of household duties. Soo Fen was moved by Thanaletchumi’s unspoken love for her sons, as the latter revealed that she felt compelled to train them in managing the household chores in order to hone the boys’ ability to live independently and prepare them for life without her by their side. She has been cautioned by the doctor that the effectiveness of surgery to repair the veins in her leg would lapse after three to five years and pose a stroke risk. “My children are still young. What would happen to them if I were to suffer a stroke? I need to be here for them, so I’d rather grit my teeth through the pain. The doctor has declared my condition difficult to cure anyway,” she reasoned. Mui Ling discovered Sanjay’s natural aptitude for car and motorcycle maintenance and advised Thanaletchumi to nurture his potential by propelling him to excel in Bahasa Malaysia and Mathematics for a chance to further his studies in vehicle maintenance at a public vocational institute and carve his own future with the skills acquired. Furthermore, she would invite Thanaletchumi, Sanjay and his brother to assist with cleaning duties at the KL Tzu-Chi Jing Si Hall and participate in recycling work. Thanaletchumi is often unable to commit due to the pain in her leg, but approved of her sons attending activities organized by Tzu Chi as she perceives them as an avenue to cultivate compassion and kindness in the boys. Hopeful for a better future The adolescent Sanjay is boisterous, but Mui Ling is convinced that the youth is kind and understanding at heart; all he needs is proper guidance. Once, Sanjay demanded